Modular Tray Inserts for Charged Particle Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charged particle irradiation therapy systems lack the ability to individually control energy, cross-sectional beam shape, and focal point of charged particle beams, which are essential for precise treatment of different patients and tumor shapes.
Innovation Solution
A charged particle beam control system that includes a control tray with patient-specific inserts, such as range shifters, compensators, and apertures, which can be inserted into the beam path to customize the energy, focus depth, and shape of the charged particle beam, and a treatment delivery control system to manage various aspects of the cancer therapy, including imaging, positioning, and radiation delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single proton source and accelerator is used to serve multiple treatment rooms, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to individually control beam energy, shape, and focal point for each patient is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the beam control function into separate modular components (beam shaping devices, energy filters, focal point controllers) that can be independently configured for each patient while sharing a common accelerator. This segmentation allows individualized treatment parameters without requiring separate accelerators for each patient or treatment room.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment capabilities where beam energy, shape, and focal point can be rapidly modified between treatment sessions using adjustable components such as variable thickness filters and movable beam shaping devices. This dynamic adaptability enables a single accelerator to serve multiple patients with customized parameters.
2Device complexity
If beam energy and focal point are fixed for all patients, then device complexity is minimized, but treatment precision for different tumor shapes and locations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs local quality modification through patient-specific beam shaping devices and energy filters that are customized for each tumor's location, size, and shape. These components modify the beam properties locally at the point of treatment while maintaining a simple overall accelerator design, thereby achieving high treatment precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If patient-specific beam control components are added, then treatment precision is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary customization of beam control components outside the treatment room, where patient-specific beam shaping devices and energy filters are prepared in advance based on treatment planning. This preliminary action allows complex individualized configurations to be established before treatment, reducing the operational complexity during the actual treatment delivery while maintaining high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a system for patient specific control of charged particles in a charged particle beam path using one or more trays inserted into the charged particle beam path, such as at the exit port of a gantry nozzle in close proximity to a tumor of a patient. Each tray holds an insert, such as a patient specific insert for controlling the energy, focus depth, and/or shape of the charged particle beam. Examples of inserts include a range shifter, a compensator, an aperture, a ridge filter, and a blank. Trays in a tray assembly are optionally retracted into an output nozzle of a charged particle cancer treatment system. Optionally and preferably, each tray communicates a held and positioned insert to a main controller of the charged particle cancer therapy system.